Xbox Launches Disc-to-Digital Feature for Gamers

In the last month, Xbox has gathered insights from Insiders who tested the new disc-to-digital program. This feedback has been instrumental in refining the feature ahead of its public launch. A system update rolled out early on September 30, finally introducing the eagerly awaited disc-to-digital capability for all Xbox Series X and Xbox One users.

Thanks to automatic updates, many Xbox players found the disc-to-digital feature ready to go as soon as they powered on their consoles this morning. To see if you’re among them, head to the Update Info tab in System settings and check the date of your last system update. If you haven’t received it yet, just select Updates to grab the latest patch.

Once the update is in place, players can start using the disc-to-digital feature right away. To digitize a physical Xbox disc, simply insert it into the console. Thanks to recent adjustments made from Insider feedback, Xbox now automatically claims a digital license when a disc is read. If there’s an issue and that doesn’t occur, players can easily press the Start button and choose “Claim digital license.”

When you claim your first digital license, an informational pop-up will appear, but don’t worry—you won’t see it again after this initial setup, making future claims much quicker. A handy tip for those looking to claim multiple digital licenses is to disable the automatic disc launch feature. If the console tries to open a game every time a disc is inserted, it can waste valuable time. You can turn this off in Devices & Connections > Disc.

Keep in mind that this digital license isn’t tied to your account permanently. It can expire or be revoked if the disc is used in a different console. Fortunately, players can check their access to any claimed digital licenses; those that are no longer available will show up on the Revoked Digital Games list. You can find this list by visiting the official page in a browser or by navigating to Settings on Xbox, then selecting General > Personalization > Games & Apps.

The best part? Gamers still retain their physical copies of the games. This means players can buy Xbox games with the confidence that they can lend or resell them later. The disc-to-digital program offers a significant advantage to physical disc owners, which is a rarity in an increasingly digital landscape. Xbox One players should also remember that they can claim licenses for last-gen games and play them on their Series S, as long as they’re using the same account.

Now you can bring games that are no longer available in digital stores into your digital library.